We are now offering a new telephone ordering service for repeat prescriptions in conjunction with the CCG Medicines Management team. Contact 0808 1647678 to order.

Medicine Shortages

As a surgery, we are working closely with the Clinical Commissioning Groups Medicine Management team and local Chemists, to try to ensure that we are aware of any drug shortages, and how we can minimise disruption to our patients of this nationwide problem.

However, we are not responsible for what a Chemist orders or stocks, and our GPs have had their own workload increased as they are regularly asked to change prescribed drugs.

We would ask that all patients are understanding with the surgery staff and local pharmacists that are not able to provide any further information at this time.

Parking at Ticehurst Surgery

Patients should only park in Surgery allocated spaces. It is noted that a parking warden is often in attendance now. There is plenty of parking across the lane in the car park.

The surgery is not liable for parking fines if you are parked out of the surgery allocated spaces.

Improved Access

We are excited to announce that we have joined with other local practices and are now offering evening appointments from 6.30pm - 8.00pm and on Saturday mornings on a rotational basis. Our rota will mean one evening per week and 1 in 5 Saturday mornings we will offer clinics here at Wadhurst with other neighbouring practices providing clinics on the other days. We hope this will assist patients who are unable to access the Surgery during normal hours. Please contact Reception to book an improved access slot.

GP Sessions

Please note due to a growing number of GPs working part time at Wadhurst Medical Group, please be aware that you may be offered an appointment with another GP other than your registered GP. If you wish to see a specific GP, we would advise Patients that there can sometimes be a wait due to work patterns.

Reception Changes

Please note our Receptionists will now be asking patients for a brief outline of your problem when you ring to book an appointment. This new way of working is about offering you the choice to see more appropriate professionals in the practice team or even somewhere else. If they can deal with the problem directly, it will often be quicker and means you may not need to see the GP at all.

Fees

As of 1st April 2019, we are updating our fees in line with the British Medical Association guidance. We will also be operating a no-fee, no-release policy meaning that documents will need to be paid for before they are collected. Medicals will also need to be paid for by 5 days prior to the appointment. We hope this will cut down on the wasted GP and Secretarial time on documents that are not collected and also cut down on the large number of non-payers.

Patient Participation Group

We are looking for patients who would be interested in contributing to the continuous improvement of services and quality of care. If you are interested, please ask reception for a form.

Repeat Prescription Forms

Please leave completed forms in the black box in the surgery lobby. It will take 48 hours to allow us to process repeat prescriptions.

Travel Clinic

Unfortunately we are only able to offer a limited travel vaccine service at the surgery. This is only for those vaccines available through the NHS. There are local travel clinics available who will be able to advise and help you with all your requirements for your travel abroad.

Appointments

All surgeries are by appointment.

Please note our Receptionists will now be asking patients for a brief outline of your problem when you ring to book an appointment. this new way of working is about offering you the choice to see more appropriate professionals in the practice team or even somewhere else. If they can deal with the problem directly, it will often be quicker and means you may not need to see the GP at all.

Please call at reception or telephone during surgery opening hours only. You are also able to book and cancel appointments online. Please speak to reception to set this up.

We aim to give patients an appointment with 48 hours to see a doctor and 24 hours to see a healthcare professional in line with the government's 'Access Plan'. Our ultimate objective is always to have appointments available on the day.

We still have appointments available for booking in advance. Patients 16 years old and over who have not been seen within 3 years and request a consultation will be given the opportunity to consult on areas appropriate to their circumstances.

If your branch surgery is closed and you need to be seen urgently you should contact the Wadhurst surgery.

Wadhurst:

Please telephone Wadhurst (01892) 783888 during office hours if you need an appointment.

Ticehurst:

During Ticehurst opening hours an appointment may be obtained by telephoning Ticehurst (01580) 200317.

Telephone Advice

If you think that telephone advice may be more appropriate than a consultation, please ask the receptionist to leave a message with the GP in the morning who will try to call you back later .

Text Messages

If you have registered your mobile telephone number with us, we will send you appointment reminders. You also have the ability to cancel the appointment up to 24 hours before by responding CANCEL

Non-attenders

We understand that there are times you are just unable to make your appointment, or it completely slips your mind - however, we now routinely write to patients who have missed two appointments in a six month period. Patients who regularly fail to attend for booked appointments may be removed from the surgery list and will have to register elsewhere.

Home Visits

Telephone Wadhurst (01892) 782121

When a home visit is needed please ring Wadhurst surgery before 10.00am, if possible. Wherever possible try to attend the surgery; this will often mean being seen quicker, and better facilities are available for your treatment. If you need an urgent visit please make this clear in order that the doctor receives the correct message and can take the appropriate action.

Telephone Advice

If you wish to speak to your doctor on the telephone, please call 01892 782121 after 9am and leave a message with the receptionists. The doctor will try to call you back later in the day.

Test Results

Please call between 11am and 3.30pm to enquire about your test results. Our reception staff have more time to deal with your request between these times.

Note that the practice has a strict policy regarding confidentiality and data protection and we will only release test results to the person to whom they relate unless that person has given prior permission for the release of this data or they are not capable of understanding the results.

When you take your test you will be told how long it will be before the results are returned to the practice.

It is your responsibility to check your results and to make an appointment to discuss them with your doctor if your are advised to do so.